+.Passion Or Poison.+
Chapter 2: Song of Farore's Courage
A groan escaped from the young heroes lips, his head pounding and his eyes burning. Link had not slept much over the night. He had finally managed to pass out just before dawn but he only was allowed to get about two hours of sleep before Ghirahim woke him up. Luckily enough, the demon lord had released his hands from their confinement so he could at least move his arms freely once again. Link yawned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Ghirahim had disappeared after he woke him so he could have fallen back to sleep, but his threat still echoed in his head. "If you fall back to sleep, Sky Child, then you will be in for a surprise I'm not sure you would much enjoy". Link shivered, not wanting to know what the man was entailing. He stepped towards the door, trying the handle and frowning at the discovery that it was locked. He glanced around the room but saw no other door. "He could have unlocked it so I could use the bathroom...", he whispered, returning to sitting on the bed. He crossed his arms, awaiting Ghirahim's return. A loud, vicious growl suddenly filled the room and Link quickly realized it was his stomach. He reached down, frowning now as he remembered that he hadn't eaten anything at all the day before. "Guess the demon lord doesn't believe in meals either...", murmured Link, standing from the bed and starting to pace a little. He was too hungry to sit still.
Link's mind was wandering, his thoughts jumping from the fact that he was hungry to what Ghirahim and himself had discussed the night before. He could feel his face heat up as he recalled what the demon lord had been doing to his body last night. He quickly shook his head, clearing his throat a little and trying to focus on how he was going to get away from this man. 'He wants me to show him the way to Zelda. Maybe I could use him...I have to do some trials anyway. Towards the end..Then I can try and escape...No, I will escape', Link was now so deep in thought that he hadn't noticed the door had opened and a bokoblin was trying to get his attention. He jumped as the creature shrieked at him, quickly turning around to face it. He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or not that someone had finally come to retrieve him, but at least he could find a bathroom and possibly get some food. Link stepped out of the room with the creature, two more closing the doors to Ghirahim's bedroom and following right behind him. 'Only three...I could probably fend them off but that won't do me any good. It will only be the same result as yesterday. I'll stick to my new plan...', he thought, watching the bokoblin's before looking ahead at the set of giant doors just down the hall. Suddenly his nostrils were flooded with the smell of food and his stomach let out a cry of joy.
As those doors opened and Link saw the table filled with a variety of foods, he couldn't help but stop and stare. He had forgotten for a moment where he was, about to head straight for the plate of stacked pancakes just sitting there on the table when he was snapped back into reality by that chilling laughter. Link's gaze went from the food to the head chair at the overly large table where Ghirahim was sitting just watching him. "Like what you see, Sky Child?", Link hated that smirk he had, like he had just won something. Link simply shot a glare at him before moving to sit down, his stomach letting out another pained growl for food. This only heightened Ghirahim's amusement. "Sounds like your stomach is enjoying it. Eat all you want. You will surely need your strength for today", Ghirahim's eyes seemed to flash, watching Link as he slowly began to eat. He was getting closer to his goal and if Link was going to cooperate then this was going to go smoothly. However, Ghirahim knew better than to just assume Link was going to obey without making a plan of his own. He was sure the hero had a plan to try and run away but Ghirahim wouldn't allow that. He had his prize before him, trapped in his clutches, obtaining the spirit maiden and releasing his master were just bonuses. He was sure his master would enjoy having the Sky Child around for some fun as well.
Link felt uncomfortable through out breakfast, catching Ghirahim watching him and just smiling at him. He felt uncomfortable the more he felt the mans eyes on him. He ate until his stomach was full enough that it would no longer growl at him, standing up now. "Excuse me..", he turned, wanting to go find the bathroom when Ghirahim appeared in front of him. "And where do you think you're going?", he questioned, taking a few steps towards Link to cause the male to back into the table. "I'm going to find the bathroom...Is that a problem?", Link raised a brow, crossing his arms now. "Yes, actually, it is. You didn't ask for permission", those words struck Link, testing at a nerve that Ghirahim was going to enjoy playing with. "I don't need your permission. You're not my boss", Link took a step towards Ghirahim now, as if challenging the man. This caused Ghirahim to laugh, grinning at Link. "Ohh really now? I'm your master, little Sky Child. Whether you like it or not, you have to ask me permission to do a lot of things. Do I make myself clear, or do I need to give you a lesson in obedience..?", Ghirahim's words seemed to snake around the hero, causing Link's nerves to back down. He felt like retreating once more from this man but if he did that then Ghirahim would win and Link couldn't have that. So, despite his nerves, he stood there glaring at Ghirahim without a word. The two were at a stand off for a few moments, both staring at one another and trying to intimidate the other. Finally, Ghirahim snapped his fingers and chains of diamonds appeared around Link's body. The hero yelped as he toppled over and onto the floor, squirming in the chains and glaring at Ghirahim. Ghirahim let out a sigh, pushing Link over onto his back and sitting down on top of the males lower half. "Now, Linky...All I ask for is a simple 'May I go to the bathroom, Master Ghirahim'. That is all I want. Come on, you can say it", Ghirahim spoke playfully, reaching down to gently stroke Link's face.
Link growled at the new pet name he was given, disliking it greatly. He didn't want to beg this man just so he could use the bathroom. That was so degrading. It was bad enough that he was forced to sleep with the man and this guy even touched him the previous night. "My name is Link. L.I.N.K. Link, and I will not beg or call you master. Now let me go", he hissed at the man above him. Link attempted to bite Ghirahim's fingers when they were close enough to his lips. This resulted in Ghirahim slapping Link hard across the face. He put more pressure down on Link's bladder now, causing Link to gasp. "Either you beg me to go or you go right here in front of an audience, littleLinky", his words were playful but serious, Ghirahim wanting to watch Link squirm underneath him. He knew Link would suck up his pride sooner or later, after all, the man wouldn't want to wet his pants in the dining hall. 'Damn it...He's sitting right on my bladder!', he thought as he glared at Ghirahim, trying to weigh his options. He could attempt to defy him and try to hold on as long as he could but that may only hurt him more. The only option that would benefit him in anyway would be to give in. As much as he hated to do this, he had no choice. He turned his head away from Ghirahim. "May...I please go...to the bathroom...ma..ster...", he struggled to say it, but the second he did he could hear Ghirahim chuckle in delight. "What was that? I didn't hear you...", Ghirahim grinned, leaning in and cupping a hand over his ear. Link let out an annoyed sigh, "May I please go to the bathroom master". "Mmmm...I think you forgot to say something there...", Ghirahim began to put more pressure on Link's bladder now, causing the young hero to yelp. "M-Master...Ghirahim! PLEASE!", Link was struggling to hold it now, glaring at Ghirahim for this torture.
Ghirahim had a huge smirk plastered across his face as he looked down at Link. He was quite satisfied with this. "I guess I'll let you go...", he snapped his fingers and they appeared inside a large bathroom. It was lavishly decorated, holding a bath tub that was large enough for at least 20 people to sit in comfortably, a large vanity and sink and a separate area for the toilet. Link had no time to inspect the decor of the room though because the second Ghirahim made the chains disappear and the man got off of him, he ran straight for the location of the toilet. He could hear Ghirahim laughing, annoyed that the man actually managed to make him beg and call him master. Link finished, coming out and washing his hands, glaring over at Ghirahim until he saw the male was holding something. He stared at the green clothing, a little dumbfounded for a moment. "You're..giving my stuff back..?", Link questioned as he reached out and took the garments. "Just your clothing and the harp. We'll discuss the rest later. For now, you will show me what we do with that harp~", Ghirahim watched as the hope in Link's expression faded, smiling further. Link turned to go change in the toilet room when Ghirahim stopped him, "Uh ahh, you change right here. We're in a hurry so make it fast or I'll do it for you".
Link could not believe what he just heard. He looked at Ghirahim, giving him another dumbfounded look. "You have one minute, Sky Child. Hurry up", Ghirahim's words were mocking him. One minute to change. How ridiculous! He couldn't possibly be serious! "50 seconds". Link grew alarmed as the male began to state how much time he had left to change and he quickly began to remove his clothes, throwing the white garments aside and struggling to put on his normal clothing. He threw the top half of his outfit on first, deciding that was the easier part to do before moving to put on his pants, crying out as he suddenly fell over while trying to put his pants on. "20 seconds left, come on now...I'm sure you can do better...15 seconds". Link could have sworn Ghirahim wasn't counting down properly but he had no time to argue. No way in hell did he want this demon lord touching his body or dressing him. He managed to slip his pants on while on the floor, pulling his shoes on and throwing his hat on top of his head. His clothes looked a mess, they definitely needed to be straightened out now, but he had completed the task within the time period given. "Good job, you finished just in time. But next time I expect your clothes to be...", Ghirahim paused as he gave Link a look over, "Not wrinkled and more decent than they are right now". Link glared at him, wanting to punch that smirk right off the mans pretty little face. It was Ghirahim's fault his clothes weren't perfect.
"Where to first, Sky Child?", Ghirahim reached out and pulled Link close to him now, ready to snap his fingers to take them where they had to go. Link's nose crinkled in displeasure, not wanting to be so close to Ghirahim. "Faron Woods. That is where the first trial is", upon hearing this, Ghirahim snapped his fingers and within seconds they appeared on a branch of the large tree inside Faron Woods. Link was quick to pull away from Ghirahim once they had arrived, looking around the woods. "We're here, now where is the trial entrance?", the demon lord questioned. "I'm not sure. With Fi...she had this dowsing ability that would allow me to find it easily. If you would give me her back then this wouldn't be a problem", Link glanced back at Ghirahim in annoyance before looking around again. "Well seeing as that isn't going to happen, I suggest we find a way to discover it quickly~", Ghirahim stated, pushing Link forward to make the man walk. Link rolled his eyes, walking along the large tree branch and looking down at the forest below. It would be so easy to slip away in those woods but if he did that then he may never get Fi or the other items back ever again. Ghirahim was definitely a smart man with his way of thinking and planning. Link knelt down, trying to see if he could spot anything unusual on the ground that might be a clue to where the trial opening was. 'He'll have to give Fi back to me sooner or later. We can't get into the trials without her...', Link thought to himself. Ghirahim observed the hero as he searched for something, glancing down now and spotting a group of butterflies. He chuckled now, "I think you're concentrating too hard..". He placed a hand on Link's shoulder and snapped his fingers, the two now appearing mere meters from the strange butterflies.
"What now, Sky Child?", Ghirahim questioned, Link staring at the butterflies for a moment and trying to think. "I need the harp", he replied, facing the demon lord now. With another snap of his fingers, the harp appeared and he held it out to Link. Link took the instrument and walked over to the fluttering bugs. He readied the harp, raising his hand and starting to strum the notes to Farore's Courage. As he played, the butterflies seemed to react but nothing else seemed to happen. Ghirahim had been hopeful that something would have come from the ground or the sky, or even out of thin air, but nothing had happened. This left an unamused look on his face. He glared at Link, wondering if the Sky Child was trying to trick him. "I'm not playing games, Link. Is this the correct spot or are you lying to me...", Ghirahim was ready to snap his fingers, to hurt Link if he was lying to him or trying to trick him. Link quickly faced Ghirahim, shaking his head. "I don't know why it's not working! I...I'm just supposed to play that song and I think something should happen but...", Link looked back at the butterflies, trying to figure out what was wrong. Maybe they were in the wrong spot. He had no idea how this worked. He had gotten this song with Fi inside the thunderhead cloud before he decided to go back and rest in Skyloft for the night the other day. Was there a clue he was missing?
Link gasped, about to tell Ghirahim something he remembered when he was suddenly sent flying into the base of the large tree. Link winced in pain, Ghirahim's daggers pinning him up and managing to cut his flesh. He looked at his arms as blood slowly soaked through his clothing because of the small gashes in his arms before looking back at Ghirahim. The demon lord was not amused. He walked over to Link, grasping the males chin and leaning in. "Tell me, Sky Child, do you like pain?", Ghirahim was holding one of the daggers, gently running it along Link's chest, "Because that is what you're going to get if you are lying to me". Ghirahim wanted to finish these so called trials as quickly as possible and if Link was trying to prevent that from happening then he would make Link wish he had never been born. "I already told you that I was going to use Fi's dowsing ability to find the entrance, I don't even know if it's right here but Fi would sin—aahhckk!", he gasped as Ghirahim pushed the dagger into his shoulder, his hands clenching into fists at the pain. "I don't want any stories or nonsense. You aren't getting your sword back so you better find another way into the trials little Sky Child...", he drew the dagger from his now wounded shoulder, licking Link's blood from the blade. "I...I was..trying to say something!", Link growled, gritting his teeth, "Fi...she would sing..when I played the harp...Maybe someone has to sing...". Ghirahim inspected Link's features, trying to judge if this was a lie or a trick. Finally, he snapped his fingers and the daggers disappeared. Link fell to the ground, reaching up to grasp his injured shoulder and look up at Ghirahim. "As far as I know, Fi is the only one to know the songs...She was made by the goddess and the memories are inside her...I don't know if you or anyone else could learn to sing them...", Link stated, rising to his feet. Ghirahim growled in displeasure. He refused to give Link his sword back. He would have to find another way around this.
The hero watched as Ghirahim began to pace, seeming to be deep in thought. 'He'll have no choice but to give me Fi back now...Then I can get away from him...', he thought, looking over at the butterflies. He smiled now, thinking he had just won his freedom back with the trials being picky and wanting someone to sing. Ghirahim snapped his fingers now as he thought of something, catching Link's attention. Link thought he would have seen a look of displeasure on the mans face, but instead it was a smirk. Not just any smirk, a devilishly evil scheming kind of smirk. Link took a few steps back now, afraid of what this man had just thought up. "If we can't enter without a singer, then I will make that little sword of yours tell me all of her secrets", Ghirahim began to slowly approach Link, causing the hero to move back a little faster in fear. "Sh-She won't tell you anything...She knows better!", Link quickly stated, his fear growing the closer the demon lord came. "Ohhhh but she will, Sky Child. That is, if she wants to keep you safe", with a snap of his fingers chains of diamonds wrapped around the young hero, causing him to fall backwards onto the ground, "Now...how about a little nap..?". Ghirahim stood over him, blowing some strange dust in his face. It was some sort of spore, which caused the male to quickly become drowsy. "No..Fi...won't do...it...", he managed to murmur before his consciousness slipped away.
+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+
Fi had been sealed by a special binding of chains, which would prevent her from coming out of the sword in any form. She could still speak but her very being was trapped within the Goddess sword. She was trying to free herself, trying to concentrate all of her power to do this task, but it would seem that no matter what she did she just couldn't break free. She was taking a break from her attempts at breaking the chains, resting to regain her strength, when she heard the doors open and saw Ghirahim entering. He seemed too happy for his own good. He was coming straight for her. "Hello little sword", he spoke, "I've come to make a request". "There is a 0% chance of me helping you. Go away", Fi stated sarcastically. This only seemed to cause the demon lord amusement. "What if there was a chance your young master would be injured without your assistance~?", his smirk seemed to grow as he felt the hate and anger emitting from Fi. "Leave Link alone", she seemed to warn him, but Ghirahim snapped his fingers and Link appeared in chains hanging down from the ceiling. Fi seemed to fall silent now as her master was dangling from the ceiling, this emotion of worry and fear filling her. "So, little Fi, I would like to learn the Song of Farore and any other memories you have for other songs as well. Tell me now and he won't be harmed", Ghirahim moved towards Fi, ready for her to just willingly submit. "By the looks of Master Link, you have already harmed him. How can I hold you to your word?", Fi questioned, watching as Ghirahim's smirk only grew at her inquiry. "Simple, if you tell me what I want to know then I won't beat him within an inch of his life", Ghirahim was now ready to snap his fingers to start injuring Link if Fi refused. The sword seemed to stay silent for a few moments before Ghirahim could feel her resistance fading away. "Touch the handle of my blade and I shall reveal all to you...", she knew she was betraying everything she was made for, but she believed in Link. If Link managed to get out and managed to unseal her, then they wouldn't have anything to worry about. They could defeat Ghirahim once again.
"Don't...Fi...don't..do it...", Link's groggy voice filled the room. He was still half asleep from those spores that Ghirahim had blown onto him but he was awake enough to know what was happening around him. "Yes, master Link", Fi had to be strong. She was designed for the purpose of serving the goddess and her chosen hero. She wasn't allowed to assist the enemy, no matter the cost. However, since she had started to adventure with Link her personality had shifted and she began to develop emotions. Emotions she wasn't designed to have. She had to try and keep these emotions in check, for if she didn't then all would be lost. Ghirahim let out a sigh, moving towards the items that Link had when he had taken him. He ran his fingers over the clawshots, dancing them over the beetle before his hand stopped at the whip. His smile grew as he picked up the item and turned. "You don't want to obey and save your master then I guess he is of no importance. Let's play a little game, shall we? How about we see how many whip lashes it takes to get my point across...", Ghirahim's voice seemed to darken and his features seemed to grow with excitement. He moved to Link, who's shirt had been removed before he was brought to this room so he hung there half naked. His tongue slithered from his mouth, licking the boys back and chuckling as he felt him tremble. "Ready Sky Child..?", he didn't wait for a reply as he raised the boys own whip and brought it down on his back. His scream was like music to Ghirahim's ears, singing a beautiful song. He brought the whip down again and again, continuing to make music with Link's screams of pain and watching as the whip began to cut into his skin. The crimson liquid decorated the boy beautifully, dripping onto the floor from his back. Link was trying to hold back tears from the pain, his voice cracking from screaming so much. He was in tremendous pain and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Ghirahim rose the whip up, ready to bring it down hard on Link's back when he heard a cry to stop. He paused mid-whipping, turning his head to look towards the Goddess sword. "What was that..? Stop? You know I can only do this if you reveal to me all of your secrets little sword", Ghirahim was about to whip Link again when Fi spoke out once more. "I will do as you ask. Please leave master Link alone. He is in a lot of pain", Fi had let her emotions win, unable to resist stopping the demon lord from his strike on Link. Link was panting from the pain and from screaming so much. He opened his eyes, looking at Fi. "No...don't..", he choked out, his body trembling from how much Ghirahim had beaten it. "I' apologize master Link...", Fi apologized, disobeying Link now as her sword began to glow a brilliant blue light. Ghirahim chuckled now, setting the blood soaked whip aside and moving over to the sword. He reached out, placing a hand on the hilt. If Fi was trying to be defiant she would only hurt herself. The chains would prevent her from any hostility towards anyone that touched her. She would have no choice but to obey. Fi opened herself up to the demon lord, allowing him to see the song he wanted and revealing the two other songs from her memories that were still locked away. Fi suddenly gasped, feeling as if power was being pulled right out of her. She could see it, Ghirahim's true form. Link was not aware of this yet but Ghirahim was the blade to the demon king, Demise. Fi could see it the second Ghirahim placed his hand on her hilt. They were similar, a blade of a goddess, and a blade of a demon. This was not good, for her memories in Ghirahim's hands could doom the world. "I think it's time you slept..After all, you are no longer needed", Ghirahim stated, drawing his hand back. He couldn't have Fi announcing who, or what, he was just yet. He snapped his fingers, more chains wrapping around Fi and an eerie red glow rising from them. Fi's voice was silenced, only a small shriek was heard before her blue light faded and she went into a dormant state.
Link stared at the chains, watching as their glow faded before his gaze fell back to the floor once more. He had to break these chains, he had to move even if it hurt. He had to get Fi and get away from here. Link weakly struggled against his chains, knowing it was useless. Ghirahim turned to face him now, grinning at him, "Now how about we try this again, shall we?". "Noo...", Link shook his head, feeling light headed from the pain and blood loss. The demon lord moved over, lifting Link's face up and chuckling. "But you have no choice, Sky Child. You will do this, no matter what", he leaned forward, licking some of the sweat from the boys face. Link cringed, closing his eyes. 'If..If I do the trials...Maybe there is still a chance to save Fi. This isn't over. Not by a long shot...', Link thought as he felt his consciousness slip once more, unable to fight it any longer. Ghirahim let the boys face fall again, sighing softly. "Human bodies are so weak...", he stated as he waved his hand and snapped his fingers. Link disappeared from the room, some bokoblins awaiting where he had sent him to bandage the boys back. Link wouldn't be able to recover from his wounds, not with what Ghirahim had in mind. It was best to act while Link was still injured. This way the boy posed less of a threat and he couldn't easily slip away if he tried to run away. Ghirahim's plan was unfolding perfectly. He now knew the three songs to enter the three trials. He would obtain the flames for himself. The demon king would praise him when he brought him back. He would be the most powerful sword known to man and he would belong to the most powerful demon, Demise. He could feel the power within his grasp, all he had to do was make the Sky Child play a few simple songs and run around a little. He would lead him on into thinking he might still have a chance and then shatter his dreams and watch the boy fall. This was going to be all too perfect.
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